Saudi Arabia Declares Wednesday As First Day of Ramadan 1447 AH

By: Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH following the confirmed sighting of the crescent moon.

OTN News further reports as gathered that the Supreme Court of Saudi Arabia announced the decision on Tuesday after receiving and verifying credible testimonies from authorised moon-sighting committees across different parts of the country. 

The court said the confirmation was carried out in accordance with Islamic tradition, which places emphasis on the physical sighting of the crescent moon as the basis for announcing the beginning of a new lunar month.

In a statement, the court explained that the decision followed a careful review of reports submitted by trusted witnesses and official committees tasked with observing the moon. 

OTN News observes that with the declaration, Muslims in Saudi Arabia will begin the Ramadan fast from dawn to sunset on Wednesday, while the first Taraweeh prayers will be observed after the Isha prayer on Tuesday night.

The announcement comes amid earlier astronomical projections which had suggested that the crescent moon might not be visible in some regions. 

Despite these forecasts, Saudi authorities maintained their long-standing reliance on visual confirmation rather than astronomical calculations in determining the start of the holy month.

Saudi Arabia’s declaration traditionally influences Ramadan commencement decisions in several Gulf countries. 

Following the announcement, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait also confirmed Wednesday, February 18, as the first day of Ramadan.

However, the start of fasting may differ in parts of Asia. Countries such as India and Pakistan are expected to depend on local moon sightings and may begin Ramadan a day later, subject to their own official confirmations.

In Nigeria, late Tuesday night, the Palace of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto has announced that Muslims in Nigeria will begin the Ramadan fast on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, the palace of the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, said reports confirming the sighting of the new moon were received from different parts of the country.

The statement said the moon sighting marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, a period during which Muslims around the world observe fasting as one of the five pillars of Islam.

“Reports of the sighting of the moon were received from various locations across the country,” the statement said.

Based on the confirmed reports, the palace declared Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447AH in Nigeria.

Ramadan is a sacred month in Islam during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, engage in prayers, and carry out acts of charity and devotion.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a sacred period of fasting, prayer, reflection and charity, marking one of the most spiritually significant times in the Islamic faith.